Haitian Soccer Prodigy Djouny Théodore Jr. Vanishes from Training Camp

A promising young soccer player has disappeared from his national team. Djouny Théodore Jr., a 16-year-old Haitian athlete, fled his team’s training camp in Spain. The incident occurred on October 18 while the squad was in Girona for a pre-tournament camp.

His departure comes just weeks before the FIFA U-17 World Cup. According to The Haitian Times, Théodore Jr. was a key member of the initial 25-man squad. He left his passport and belongings behind.

Escape During Barcelona Match

The team was attending a live match between FC Barcelona and Girona. It was during this outing that Théodore Jr. slipped away. An audio message, reportedly from the player, has since circulated on social media.

In the message, he expressed concern about returning to Haiti. He reportedly stated that going back would feel like a failure for his soccer career. The Haitian team has been in Spain since September preparing for the World Cup in Qatar.

They are scheduled to travel to Qatar on October 31. The squad must be reduced from 25 to 21 players. Théodore Jr.’s disappearance now forces an unexpected change.

A Recurring Pattern for Haitian Athletes

This is not an isolated incident. Haitian athletes have a history of seeking asylum abroad during international trips. In 2021, three players from the Arcahaie Football Club left their team in Mexico.

In a more notable case, 13 members of a Haitian under-17 team escaped during a 2007 stopover in New York. They were en route to a tournament in South Korea at the time. These events highlight a persistent pattern.

The Haitian Times suggests Théodore Jr. may have family in France. His uncle is suspected of assisting in the escape. However, without his travel documents, his prospects with French authorities remain uncertain.

The disappearance of Djouny Théodore Jr. underscores the extreme pressures facing young athletes from certain nations. His flight highlights a desperate search for opportunity beyond the beautiful game.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Djouny Théodore Jr.?

He is a 16-year-old soccer player. He was a key member of the Haitian national under-17 team preparing for the World Cup.

When and where did he disappear?

He vanished on October 18 in Girona, Spain. The team was watching a match between Barcelona and Girona at the time.

Has this happened with Haitian teams before?

Yes. In 2007, 13 under-17 players escaped in New York. More recently, three players left a club team in Mexico in 2021.

What was the team doing in Spain?

The squad was in a pre-World Cup training camp. They had been there since September to prepare for the tournament in Qatar.

What has happened to his World Cup spot?

The team must now finalize its 21-player roster without him. His departure creates an unexpected vacancy just days before the tournament.